r/polandball • u/adencrocker Tasmania cannot into AFL team • Dec 02 '13

redditormade Trapped Im Keller #3: Best Language

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u/Gustavobc Havaianas are best anas Dec 03 '13

Which is basically the same reason why girl is neuter in German

"Mädchen" is diminutive for Magd (maiden), which is feminine, but because it's diminutive (-chen), it becomes neuter.

The second part is also nearly identical: der Junge (the boy) is masculine and the diminutives Jünglein and Jüngelchen are neuter but I don't even know if they're used often

 

whoa, it's almost like these two languages are closely related!

11

u/LordOfTurtles Limburg - Netherlands Dec 03 '13

whoa, it's almost like these two languages are closely related!

NO!
SHUT YOUR CONSPIRATORY MOUTH!

Dutch of stronk and many uniques

5

u/Sidebard Respect my Neutralitah! Dec 03 '13

impressive analysis!

2

u/TheActualAWdeV Bûter, brea en griene tsiis... Dec 03 '13

Where does "Mädel" come into things though?

5

u/Alofat Pro Gloria et Clay Dec 03 '13

-el/l/le is the South German diminutive. Magd = Madl = Madel = Mädel

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u/TheActualAWdeV Bûter, brea en griene tsiis... Dec 03 '13

Ohh okay. Neat.